Swags again - water aspects

Submitted: Saturday, Jul 16, 2005 at 20:20

ThreadID: 24778 Views:3142 Replies:7 FollowUps:7

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Mike Harding

I've been hosing down my new swag in order to waterproof it, according to the instructions. Actually the Melbourne weather has been doing most of the work for me today.

I put a blue tarp, which is larger than the swag, underneath it before the soaking exercise commenced so water has fallen on the tarp and flowed under the swag where, no doubt, it has pooled. Now as the tarp is (more or less) waterproof but the underside of the swag is canvas and will absorb water (I assume?) does this mean those pools of water will, eventually, soak through into my bedding?

If that is the case, is it better to put the swag directly onto the ground without the tarp underneath?

Mike Harding

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Reply By: Lone Wolf - Saturday, Jul 16, 2005 at 20:25

Saturday, Jul 16, 2005 at 20:25

Cut a tarp say 50 mm. smaller all around the footprint of your swag. The tarp will only stop cuts & tears, which is all you want it to do.

Cheers

Wolfie

AnswerID: 120673

Reply By: 120scruiser - Saturday, Jul 16, 2005 at 20:37

Saturday, Jul 16, 2005 at 20:37

The bushwakker swag doesn't have a canvas bottom.
It has the polyurethane I think plastic type base. No tarp required just straight on the ground.

AnswerID: 120674

Reply By: Moggs - Saturday, Jul 16, 2005 at 20:49

Saturday, Jul 16, 2005 at 20:49

Probably a good idea to take the foam mattress out of the swag while you waterproof the canvas.

As for long term protecting the base. I had a canvas blind made for use at watercrossings with tabs sewn around the edge for securing. I use this folded under the swag when camping on rocks / dirt. If you are camping on grass I wouldn't bother with anything.

Just on the canvas blind - most used thing I have when offroad/camping - ideal for a picnic rug, groundsheet for the swag, mat for when crawling under the vehicle, shade, windbreak when used with the tarp, seat cover when muddy etc.

AnswerID: 120677

Reply By: Member - Davoe (Widgiemooltha) - Saturday, Jul 16, 2005 at 20:50

Saturday, Jul 16, 2005 at 20:50

Put swag on edge of tarp and when tarp is doubled over the swag like you would for heavy weather it should let water onto the dirt alongside the swag and not onto the tarp letting it go under. Alternatly I also have a simple cheap setup that lets me put an awning off the side of the 4by to give somewhere to sit in heavy weather and you put the swag under it nice and dry. v quick to set up (if need be) and less than 30 bucks. But fair dinkum I reckon you worry too much the only damp sleep i have ever had in my swag was when I left it open during a rain storm

AnswerID: 120678

Reply By: Rosco - Bris. - Saturday, Jul 16, 2005 at 21:43

Saturday, Jul 16, 2005 at 21:43

I thought about this but haven't tried it yet ... How about 6 of those holed foam rubber mat thingys.

Add to the comfort and keep you off the wet ground, whilst letting the water through ?

Thoughts ??

AnswerID: 120692

Follow Up By: Member - John (Vic) - Sunday, Jul 17, 2005 at 00:25

Sunday, Jul 17, 2005 at 00:25

Rosco I use these foam things without the holes as a under-mat / additional mattress / additional insulation. Works real good also protects against sharp rocks etc.

I have a waterproof bottom in mine as standard from Southern Cross same as the base of their tents.

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FollowupID: 375801

Follow Up By: Eric from Cape York Connections - Sunday, Jul 17, 2005 at 14:36

Sunday, Jul 17, 2005 at 14:36

Wheres that red claw from rosco.
It would feed the whole family.

All the best
Eric

FollowupID: 375848

Follow Up By: Rosco - Bris. - Sunday, Jul 17, 2005 at 15:10

Sunday, Jul 17, 2005 at 15:10

Bloody beauty isn't it mate.

Got it at Lakefield NP. If I recall it was at 12 Mile Waterhole, along with a whole swag of snapping handbags, esp a big mongrel about 3.6m.

Got a few good snaps of him too. Have to put it up in the piccie section one day.

Cheers cobber

FollowupID: 375854

Follow Up By: Eric from Cape York Connections - Sunday, Jul 17, 2005 at 16:51

Sunday, Jul 17, 2005 at 16:51

Did you get it in pot or with a scoop and what did you use in it.
I have used spuds but you may have a secret weapon.

All the best
Eric

FollowupID: 375859

Follow Up By: Rosco - Bris. - Sunday, Jul 17, 2005 at 20:20

Sunday, Jul 17, 2005 at 20:20

Maaaate

This is secret men's business .... don't let the cat outa the bag.

Got yarning to a dusky bloke in the Laura pub .. top fella.

Anyway he says ... try 2 bits of meat ... 1 fresh and the other .. throw it into the fire for a few minutes .. get it all charcoled and crappy.

See how ya go... Tried both in separate TRAPS .. the blue collapseable jobbys.

Fresh meat ... no luck. Charcoal one ... viola.

Also tried spuds ... raw, baked any old how.

Charcoal meat did the trick .... not bad for a vege shrimp heh??

Cheers

FollowupID: 375883

Follow Up By: Member - Davoe (Widgiemooltha) - Monday, Jul 18, 2005 at 22:22

Monday, Jul 18, 2005 at 22:22

Am I going blind (my mum said this would happen if I didnt stop) but it looks alot like a cherubin rather than a redclaw. Unless it is local dialect as I thought cherubin were the northern version of freshwater shrimp on steroids and redclaw were like a marron/yabby except with red claws (and they live up north)
I figure there must be a trick to catching whateveritis that you have as i found you cant just throw out a yabby net and come back an hour later and find it full coz they dont like to share food or something

FollowupID: 376105

Follow Up By: Rosco - Bris. - Monday, Jul 18, 2005 at 22:46

Monday, Jul 18, 2005 at 22:46

Mate

I also thought it was a shrimp on steroids ... but wasn't about to question that which I knew little about.

As for my secret tricks ... I reckon it was more bloody arse than anything.

Cheers cob

FollowupID: 376114

Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Sunday, Jul 17, 2005 at 00:19

Sunday, Jul 17, 2005 at 00:19

If it looks like rain, I usually sleep next to the front of the car, and run a blue tarp off the top bullbar rail down to the ground.. Water runs over.. This is what I do with the 2 man tent too. works well. Also works as windshield.. if it doesnt look like rain, then sleep next to the rear of car for wind shield...

AnswerID: 120716